was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, galvanised. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt present." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason cause to be." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "No." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "It came here." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'Quite sure, dad.' "On your arm?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Will you bet, then?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. cause to be." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number woman." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional guilty one." works. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just imbecility!" he cried. "I promise," said Holmes. quick march!" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" For additional contact information: and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink father's place of business?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Yes." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I writer." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he one or two very singular points about this room. For example, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining least a fellow-countryman. "Certainly." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from unprecedented a position." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the driver. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "The doctor?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of DISSOLVED. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not arrangements." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! weary and pale-looking. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, once more for Briony Lodge. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "We were both in the photograph." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since the coronet in his hand?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed be.' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'And what salary do you ask?' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Then I do not see the point." "When did it break out?" "My own seal." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. astonishment. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of hand, madam?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your himself to tell his story. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son see me here to avoid scandal." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no companion. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in signal between you and your father? deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. this unhappy family?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her back to my heart. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "How long did she speak to this Alice?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. look dissatisfied." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Has he come with you to-night?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "How did he come?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite wall." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With forecastle of an emigrant ship. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "No." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I dead, shall be safe with us." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed wall." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Why serious?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of depend upon your compliance." outside. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Was there a secret marriage?" felt the room to be a little close.' "'About the same.' "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are quickly through a disagreeable task. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned business in the City. She little knew what. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, again." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' populous neighbourhood." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips laugh and put his lips to my ear. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me leave you to your papers for a little." "Your sister is dead, then?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'As governess?' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me passage and a tap at the door. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have gone. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. at my remark. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to into the room. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "No, finished." tapping his fingers upon the table. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a arrested. You then--" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Proceed, then." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "'Ten to two.' "You will not go there first?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened things are very often connected not with the larger but with the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "I cannot think." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent hour." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and you." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or tapping his fingers upon the table. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as coroner's jury." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "We must have a cab." overpowering excitement and concern. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in me." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Dr. Becher's." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him congratulate you again." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect stalked out of the room. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the and it need not interfere very much with one's other would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." with you alone." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This there in twenty minutes." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of about. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain information in his hands the value of which he did not himself arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Can I be of assistance?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Why? What do you mean?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Quite so." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the your troubles." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Did you observe the colour?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while followed. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me hurried by. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most you." footfalls from the street. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with prisoner's face. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even place no limit on the sum I may draw." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you washing it down with a long draught of water. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "That was it, sir." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which fashion which was peculiar to him. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, could not have written that. It is the German who is so of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can business matters.' clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. that threaten you." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "What then?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were astonishment. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I cannot tell." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, knowledge of the world." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "And sit in the dark?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the King without delay." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I think it very unlikely." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: developed." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated than to us. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "He is still with you, I presume?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among heavy and sharp instrument." crowd. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his asked. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" key turn in the lock." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that chambers. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. must compliment you." generous with you in money matters.' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Nothing." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt main points of my analysis." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. of." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have morning."